I follow a few people on Facebook who put technology into plain spoken words and terms and I enjoy learning and occasionally trying out some of their suggestions to improve my quality of life, take KNS to the next level or just look for a way to efficiently automate something.
About a month ago, late one night, I downloaded an app that was ChatGPT. It was after one of those people I follow said “you won’t lose your job to AI, you will lose your job to someone who knows how to use AI.” It’s free but like anything else you can get a paid version. I have chosen to go up to a 9.99 a month version and it does more than I ever expected and probably still has more to teach me.
I surprisingly haven’t heard many people around Clinton County or other circles I follow or hang in talk about it. When they do, they mention it being intimidating and not needed. I’m gonna say it now and I’ll probably say it again: REGARDLESS OF YOUR AGE, GET COMFORTABLE WITH AI. EMBRACE IT EVEN IF JUST A LITTLE. Since I enjoy communicating through the written word, and use knsradioonline to bring news, I felt compelled to write the following article. Please feel free to reach out if I can help you in this technical journey at kevin@knsradioonline.com
Kevin Keith
Owner/GM KNS Radio
9/16/25
If you’re over 50, you’ve probably gotten pretty good at “Googling it.” For the last 20+ years, that’s been how most of us found answers online. But there’s a new tool that’s quickly becoming just as essential — maybe even more so — and it’s called ChatGPT.
Think of ChatGPT like the smartest, most patient neighbor you’ve ever had — one who’s available 24/7 and can explain things at your level. You type in a question, and instead of giving you a long list of websites to sift through (like Google does), ChatGPT gives you a clear, written answer right away.
The Big Difference is it’s conversation, not searching. When you Google something, you usually get a pile of links. Then you have to click through, read different articles, and piece the information together yourself.
ChatGPT skips all that. It does the reading, comparing, and summarizing for you. You can even have a conversation with it, ask follow-up questions, request a simpler explanation, or say, “Can you write that like I’m 12?” And it will.
For example, instead of searching “how to write a resume after 50” and getting 20 websites, you can just ask ChatGPT:
“Write me a resume for a 55-year-old looking to get back into office work after a 10-year break.”
And it will give you a first draft in seconds — something you can tweak and use right away.
It’s worth trying for several reasons. It saves time. No more hunting through websites or dealing with pop-up ads. It’s customized. Your answer is written just for you. You can tell it your situation, your age, your goals. Also, it keeps learning. You can go back and forth like a conversation until the answer makes sense. Plus, it’s good for staying sharp. Trying new technology keeps your brain active just like learning a new language or puzzle.
Don’t be afraid of it. Many people over 50 hesitate because it feels “too techy.” But using ChatGPT is as simple as sending a text message. You don’t have to download anything complicated — just open it on your computer or phone, type what you want, and hit enter. The key is to think of it less like a search engine and more like a helper. You’re not just searching you’re having a conversation.
It’s definitely a new way to learn. Technology keeps changing, and ChatGPT is one of those changes that can make your life easier — if you give it a try. Whether you want to plan a trip, rewrite a letter, understand a medical term, or just get ideas for dinner tonight, ChatGPT can do the heavy lifting.
It’s not about replacing Google completely — maybe you’ll still use it sometimes but for getting straight answers in plain English, ChatGPT is a game changer.